The effects of anticipatory cognitive processes and rumination on negative affect reactivity to a laboratory controlled stressor
Date
2021
Authors
Muller, Anna M., author
Luong, Gloria, advisor
Barrett, Karen, committee member
Adams, Henry, committee member
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Abstract
A growing body of literature on stress reactivity shows mixed findings on the efficacy of anticipatory cognitive processes (ACPs) in reducing negative affect reactivity (NAR). Established stress research highlights the association between high NAR and poor long-term health outcomes. The current study explores cognitive processes that may buffer negative and prolonged reactions to stress and reduce the likelihood of stress contributing to poorer health in the future. This study aims to provide answers as to how the use of anticipatory deliberation (AD), anticipatory appraisals (AA), and rumination differentially predict NAR using a standardized lab stressor. It was predicted that participants who engaged in more frequent AD and more positive AA would experience less NAR, and those reporting high rumination about lab stressors would experience greater NAR. To test these hypotheses, researchers recruited participants from the parent HEADE study. The participants answered a series of daily Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMAs) reporting their engagement use of AD, AA, and rumination. Participants took part in three lab sessions where they completed the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and answered questionnaires about their current affect before and during the TSST to measure NAR. Results from the correlation matrix and multiple regressions analyses did not support the hypothesis about AD and AA. AA showed no measurable effect on NAR, and AD exacerbated NAR rather than reduced it. The hypothesis regarding rumination was supported. Results showed rumination and AD were strongly correlated with one another and both were associated with a significant increase in NAR. Implications of these findings, such as the negative impacts of perseverative thought both before and following a stressor, as well as strengths, limitations and future research directions are also discussed in this paper.
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Subject
anticipatory coping
rumination
Trier social stress test
negative affect reactivity
anticipatory cognitive processes
stress reactivity